Bar and pipe bending machine



' Oct. l2? 1926.

F. E. THoMEs BAR AND P IPE BENDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed Sept. 8. 1925 Invenar.

oct. 12 1926. 1,602,788

F.E.THOMES BAR AND PIPE BENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 8, 1925 4 Sheets-Shest 3 mvenion Oct. 12 1926.

l F. E. THOMES BAR AND PIPE BENDING MACHINE 4 sheets-sheet Filed Sept. 8, 1925 Patented Oct. 12, 1926.

FRANK E. THONES, OF SOTH PORTLAND, MAINE.

BAR AND PIPE BENDING vMACHIITIL.

Application led September 8, 1925.

My invention relates to a metal working machine commonly known as bending rolls. The purpose of the machine is to'bend anglei iron, pipe, bars of various forms and struc tural shapes into substantially true circular pieces forming rings which may be utilized for numerous commercial purposes, but es- `Vpecially applicable in the case of boiler or tank work.

The ordinary or conventional type of bending `machine vemploys three rolls, the two lower rolls .supporting-the straight bar ofmaterial to be bent, and the third roll, located above and centrally of the other two, contacting with the upper side of the material. The upper and lower rolls are grad ually brought together, subjecting the bar to a bending stress as it is passed backwardly and forwardly through the rolls, until a ring of thedesired diameter is produced.

In rolling flat, round or symmetrical shapes this combination serves the purpose admirably. But lin the case of angle iron or other unsymmetrical forms, certain difficulties develop in the bending operation which make it necessary to employ additional measures `to procure a ring which is flat and true transversely of its axis.

In my present invention, one of the principal objectsfsought is to evolve a machine which will produce, from a straight bar of material, a ring having a true circular form throughout its entire length. This result, so far `as I .am aware, has never been attained wh erethe bending operation involved the use -of lrolls alone. In my machine I employ a bending-block, which, in conjunction with the upward feed or movement of the lower bending `rolls completesthe formation of the circular shape to the extreme ends of the bar,-these portions not having been, for the reason lthat they could notbe,

operated on. by the rolls.

Another object relates to the elements incorporated in the machine for taking care of the side-wise distortion of the material. especially in the case of` angle-bars, and more particularly when the leg of the angle pointA ing transversely ofthe axis of the ring is on the inside ofthe latter.

Another object is to simplify and make more expeditious the operation of removing the completed ring from the maehine.`

A still further object concerns the ma chines increased bending power, due to the Serial No. 55,029.

fact that the lower rolls may be Vspaced a relatively greater distance apart than would otherwise be permissible were there no provision made to bendl the extreme ends of the bar-as outlined in my first object enumerate These and other objects will be given due consideration hereinafter and a clear understanding of the construction `and operation of the machine may be had-by reference to the text of the specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout all the different views, and in which,

Fig. l is a side view, in elevation, of the machine; j

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same;

Figs. 3, l land 5 show, diagrammatieally, the relative positions ofthe rolls during the bending operation of an angle-bar;

Fig. G is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the upper bending `and drive roll with connecting parts, the section being on a. central line ofthe machine, longitudinally;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the forward part of the machine, taken on line 7 7, Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail taken on line SWS, Fig. 7;

Fig. 8 illustrates the rolls used in bending pipe or round bars;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional plan View taken on line 99, Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken on line 10-10, Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 is a sectional detail taken on line ii-ii, Fig. 1;

Fig. l2 is a sectional detail taken on line l2-l2, Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 illustrates the bendingblock in position adjacent the upper bending roll, and

Fig. 14. shows the extent to which the angle bar can be arcuately formed by rolling exclusively, and illustrates its shape just inl previous to the employment of the block 7 6 f to completely form the extreme ends thereof.

Referring to the several views, l represents the base of the machine, upon which -is mounted the main box frame 2. In a bearing 3, at the top of the frame, and axially movable therein, is a bushing 4 secured against rotation by the sliding key, or as commonly called, feather 5. Within this bushing Il is journalled a shaft 6 having at its rearward end a collar 7 and a nut 8. On the i'orward end oll the shaft 6 is detachably secured a i'luted roll 9 and on the opposite end 9, somewhat reduced in size, is mounted the drive worn'i-gear 10, the latter engaging the worm 11. This worm 11, fixed on the shaiit 11, may be actuated by any suitable prime moverI (not shown). The feather 12, tixed in the gear 10, serves to rotate the sha'lt (Lthe reduced end 9 olf the latter being slidable through the hub of the gear 10. A split collar 13 has a circumferential tongue 13 in its bore which engages the groove lll in the extended portion of the hub of the worm-gear 10, thus holding the latter against endwise movement. The screws 15 secure the split collar 13 in place within the bearing 3.

Secured to the bushing` 4C is a bracket 1G in which is formed the spring-cup 16 within which one end ot the helical spring 17 is seated. The opposite end ot' this spring 17 seats in the spring-cup 18 which has a bi- 'turcatml projection 18 located in which is a pinl) operating within the slot 20 in the arm 21, the latter being` keyed to the shait't 22 and actuated by the hand-lever 23. A pawl 2-1- on the lever 23 engages the teeth in the segment 25 and holds the lever iixed in any given position.

It will thus be seen that the roll f) may be moved axially by the hand-lever 23 and that normally the spring` 17 is inert, being held so bv the bolt 2G, which may also be utilized in giving the spring various degrees ot compression while in the inert state; however, when the bending operation is taking place the spring is subject to a further compression, about which more will be said hereinafter.

jl'lounted on vertically operating slides 27 which may be constructed in any 4approved manner, and operable on each side ot the boxY 'trame 2, are bearings 28, each having axially slidable bushingsi29 therein. These bushings are held against rotation by the feathers 30 and are adjustable lengthwise ot the bearings by means ot the collars 31 to which they are screw threaded, the collars being held against axial movement by being interposed between the end ot the bearings and the collar clamps 82. To make adjustments ot the bushing longitudinally of the bearings all that is necessary is to turn the collar in either direction to get a corresponding movement or adjustment of the bushing. l llvithin the bushings 29 are shafts 29', on the outer ends oit which are secured the lower bending rolls 33, the latter being iiXed on the shafts by the keys 34 and the nuts 35. They are made removable for the purpose oi replacing with other and different shaped rolls when required, as would be Ithe case when pipe or round bars were to he bent as illustrated in Fig. 8a. In Fig. S) one of the lower bending rolls 33 is shown in its inward position and the other in its outer.

Secured in the lower portion ot the slides 27 are bushings 36, internally screw threaded to receive the lifting screws 37 on which are lixed the gears 2355, adapted to engage the gears 39, the elongated hubs oi which are journalled in the bearings olI the bracket Lll. (ln the inner l'ace ot these hubsI is `formed a hall portion ot a dental clutch l2, its niating member lf3 being slidable on the shaft 4tland driven thereby through the agency oi the feather 45. A yoke member. l-(S, lixed on the shal't 47, operates the slidable portion oi the clutch and a hand-lever 8, fixed on the outer end of the shalt 47 which extends forwardly to the outside o't the machine, gives the operator convenient means to operate the clutch parts.

Fixed on the shaft 44; is the gear 49 engaging the gear 4-9 which is fixed on the shalt 50. On the outside end of this shait is secured the ratchet-wheel 51. Pivotally secured to the hand-lever 52, which is loosely operable over the shatt 50, and engaging thc ratchet-wheel 51 is the pawl 53, and outside of the hand-lever 52, with its inner flanged hub forming a thrust collar for the handlever, is the hand-wheel 54, the latter being lixed on the shaft 50, and used principally in making a quick return olI the slides to their lowermostposition. The raising oli the lower bending rolls is therefore accomplished by the actuation ot the hand-lever 52, and through the agency of the two clutches each roll may be lifted separately or both simultaneously.

At 55 is a roll with its` axis vertically disposed. llt is tixed on the shaft 5G which is revoluble in the bushing 57. An adjustment, transversely et its axis and toward and from the roll 9, is provided for in the shank 58 extending Yforwardly from the housing 59 and operable by means ot the hand-wheel 60 and the screw 61. The vertical adjustment oil. this roll 55 is accomplished with a mechanism similar in design. to that provided for the two lower bending rolls 33, illustrated in Fig. 9. To keep the housing 59 in pro-per vertical alignment I provide a gudgeon 59 fixed in the trent column 2 and slidable in a hole in the boss 59 on the housing 59.

The lower feed roll 62 is lifted on the inner end ot the double shaft 68 which rotates in the bearing 64:. A feather 63 prevents rotation of the outer portion ot the shaft 63. The bearing 64 is pivotally secured to the front column 2 as seen in Fig. 8. Horizontal adjustment of the roll 62 is provided in the hand-wheel 65 and screw 66, the split collar 67 litting over the T ends of the double shaft allowing the inner portion to revolve with the roll 62.

leo

A liellscranlr 68 having a short arm 69 impinging on-the lower side of the inner endY ing: rolled. This is due tothe action of the helical spring 70 thrusting against thev longer arm 71 of the bellcranl. It will be noticedy by observing Fig. 7 that the bolt 72 restricts the inward movementof the arm 71. ln this view the roll 62 is shown lowered tor the purpose of insertingjv.l the stockto be rolled. By the actuation of the l1and-wl1eel 73 the spring 70 may be compressed and the roll allowed to assume its lowered position, but subsequent toit-'he placing of the material in the machine the handwheel 78 is again manipulated so as to allow the arm 71 to swing inwardly and` the spring: 70 to freely expandv with the result that a strong yielding pressure is. exerted bythe roll 62 against the material.

Superimposed on the bearings 28 of the slides 27 are rolls 743y being freely revoluble on` pins 75. They have no adjustment horizontally but may be raised or lowered with the slide bearings carrying. the lower bending' rolls 3?, The principal function exercised by these rolls 743 is to. providel two outer bearing points forthe material as it is being trued up oraligned transversely of the axis ot the ring: bythe centrally located` straightening roll 55. i

In Figs. 2"', 6 and 7 is seen thev appliance with which I am able to completely finish beiuling` the bar of material to its extreme ends into the desired diameter of circle while the stock still remains in the bending machine and without recourse to other than the regularlyy operative elements ofv the machine. The device consists` of a bendingblock 76` fixed on a trunnion- 77 `wh'iclrisl slidable in a bearing 7 8 in the frame of the machine. The upper surface, or the side adjacent the roll- 97 is made to conform tothe shape oit the latter, but the lower or` outerside oili the bending-block may vary, as this side is conformable to the larc of the circle to which the ring is to be bent.V I make these bending-blocks detachable from the trnn nions, the latter beingr screw threaded into the former, so aste be able to quickly change from one size to another, with respect to' the size et the Vfinished ring. When. the main portion; oii the bar of materialr is being bent,

t 'these bending-blocks may be stored in the pocket oft? the frame at the rear of the roll 9. The method of operating the bending.- block will hereinafter be fully disclosed.

Having thus portrayed thetruc'tu-rwl ele` ments in my invention I will next describe the method of operatingmy bender and briefly point out some of the more prominent teatrnes and advantages pert-aininsg:Y

thereto.

First,` a straight bar of' stock7 as for 1nstance'an anglebar, cut to the exact length of? the circumference ofi the ring` which is tol be produced, is inserted between the upper and lower bending rolls', the roll 9 having been moved' from its inoperative position (shown in dot and dash lines, Fig. 1) to the operative position (shown in full lines, Fig; `l.). lVe will assume that this angle-bar is to be bent into a ring with the leg, pointing transi'crsely of the axis of the ring, on: the

inside, which is usually designated.v as an inside flanged ring and is shown thus in Fig". 5. v

Both clutches 43 are now thrown into operative position andthe lever 52 actuated, elevating the rolls 33 and bringingl the stock into a strong Contact with the roll 9. The hand-wheel 78 is next turned sufficiently to allow the spring 70 freeopportnnity to expand and force the roll 62 into a strong yielding contact with thev flat side of the .stoclr directly beneath the roll 9; It is well to state at this time'that this roll G2 exercisesseveral* very important functions. Its primary duty in this instance is tof assist the roll- 9 in feeding thesto'ck throuvh the ma- V chinev by forcing the material strongly `against the fluted'l periphery of the latter rolll 9. Withoutit the only under support for the material is on the lower and opening` angle as it shoull'dibe. They next move in the 'v sequence of! operations is to forcelthe roll 55 tow-ard the` main frame of the machine untilx the stock brings up on the inclining rolls 74.- These three rolls-#55 and the Vtwo 7i units form the main straigliteni'ng combination in the bending machine. Attention is called to the fact that peripheral the stock, thus eliminating a large amount of frictionk at the contacting points.

I' now manipulate the hand-lever 28, compressing the spring 17 Va certain amo-unt, de ndi/ng on the thickness of the stock, an they roll 9E to: bear on the inner sideo-l the leg b. `It will be obsei-'ved that this legv of the angle-bar is subject to an upsetting aetion which will wrinkle the stock more or less. My object in makingr the contact of the roll. 9 with this surface yielding' is as to gradually andi lightly smooth ont this. unevenness without the necessity oli uncl'nly drawingV the metall..

VThe stock is now ready to, be passed` through the bending rolls, and the driving @contact only is made between these rolls and bringing a strong resilient pressure of '120W mechanism is set in motion. When the end of the angle-bar has reached the vertical center line of one of the rolls 33 the mechanism is reversed and a pass in the opposite direction taken,-the lever 52 being` brought into service and a feed upward of the rolls 33 `given at the end of each pass. During the bending` operation the roll 55 is gradually fed inwardly, as it is `found necessary, to take out any set or distortion given the ringdue to the bending process, and to keep it fiat and .true transversely of its axis.

The movement of the stock backwardly and forwardly through the rolls is continued until the ring assumes a practically circular form,-except for a spaced distance from each end. These ends will appear somewhat as illustrated in Fig. 14.

I next withdraw the bending-block 76 into close relation with and under the roll 9, throw out the clutch 4.3 on the opposite side of the machine and elevate the roll 33 which is adjacent the end of the bar which is being operated on until the latter is bent into the required arc. The stock is next rolled around so that the opposite end of the bar is adjacent the other roll 33, and by using the opposite and corresponding elements on this side of the machine as was used in the first instance, the ring will have been completely bent into a true circle and ready for removal from the machine, which is accomplished by lowering the roll 62 which may bedone by tightening up on the bolt 72, withdrawing the roll 9 into its inoperative position (see Fig. l),-lifting the latch-rod 7 9 and swinging it backward over the frame of the machine.

The purpose of the latch-rod 79 is to strengthen the resistance to springing of the front column 2 when pressure is brought to bear on the work. It ties the front and main columns together and is made detachable to facilitate the operation of removing the finished rolled bar or rod from the machine.

In bending an outside flange angle-bar one function is taken from the roll 9 and another added to roll 62. By reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the duties of roll 9 consists of feeding the stock through the machine and keeping one leg of the anglebar fiat. On the other hand the roll 62 assumes one of the former duties of the roll 9 and acts to pein out the wrinkles and keep that portion of the leg which is subject to upsetting in a smooth and true condition. 1While the roll 55 still functions as a straightening agent this particular work is shared, in this instance, by the roll 62, largely because the small surface contact of the edge of the leg of the angle-bar is liable to become upset should the Whole duty of keeping the ring straight and true devolve on the former roll.

I have therefore `provided adjustability in two directions for the roll 62 which will cover all requirements in the bending of angle-bars.

lVhile in my specification and drawings I have disclosed thel preferred en'ibodiment of my invention it is obvious that certain deviations from the strictmechanical construction as herein set forth might be made without departing from the meaning and intent of the invention, and I wish it understood that I shall feel at liberty to make such changes as seem advantageous and desir-aide provided, however, that all such departures shall be limited to the extent of the appended claims.

llVhat I claim and wish protected by Iletters Patent is:

l. In a bar and pipe bending machine comprising, in combination, an upper, centrally located power driven roll, freely revoluble rolls located a spaced distance below said power driven roll one on each side of a central vertical line therethrough, means to rotate and means to reciprocate the said power' driven roll, means to elevate said freely revoluble rolls separately or simultaneously, a roll, having its axis inclined from vertical, stationed at each side and rearwardly of said power driven roll, a roll having its axis vertically disposed and positioned forwardly of said power driven roll, said last nientioned roll and said two axially inclined rolls to constitute a three-point-contact straightening means for the material being bent into an arcuate form by the first three mentioned rolls, said straightening rolls to have peripheral contact only with the said material, and means to force the said roll having the vertically disposed axis into closer relation with the two said axially inclined rolls.

2. In a bar and pipe bending machine comprising, in combination, an upper, centrally located power driven roll, freely revoluble rolls located a spaced distance below said power driven roll one on each side of a cent-ral vertical line therethrough, means to rotate and means to reciprocate the said power driven roll, means to elevate said freely revoluble rolls separately and simultaneously, a roll, having its axis inclined from vertical and stationed at each side and rearwardly of said power driven roll, a roll havingits axis vertically disposed and positioned centrally and forwardly of said power driven roll, means to force the last mentioned roll into closer relation with the said two axiallyinclined rolls, a roll having its axis substantially horizontal and in the vertical plane of the axis of the said power driven lroll and located beneath and a spaced distance from the latter roll, means whereby the said roll having the substantially horizontal axis may be forced upwardly 4with a yielding pressi1re,-said last mentioned roll, together with the said power driven roll to constitute the feeding means for material passing through said machine, the axisl of the said power driven roll being horizontally disposed.

v3. In a bar and pipe bending machine comprising, in combination, a frame, a bearing in said frame, a revoluble shaft journa'lled in said bearing, means to rotate said shaft, a roll fixed on said shaft, ineans whereby said roll may be detachable fromsaid shaft for the purpose of replacing with other rolls, two vertically movable slides,o11e on each side of said frame, a bearing in each of said slides, a freely revoluble shaft journalledin each of the said slide bearings, a roll fixed on each of said slide shafts, means to locate said rolls in various predetermined posit-ions longitudinally of said slide bearings, means to elevate said slides either separately or sinmltaneonsly and a bending-block adapted to be brought into contiguous relation with the under side of the said .first mentioned roll, its upper surface to fit the periphery of said roll and its under surface to be of substantially the same are of the circle into which the bar of material is to be for-med.

4. In a bar and pipe bending machine con'iprising, in combination, a frame, a hori zontally disposed shaft journalled in said frame, means to rotate said shaft, a peripherally fluted roll fixed on said shaft, two vertically movable slides,-one on each side of said frame, a bearing 1n each of said slides, a shaft, freely revoluble, journalled in each of said bearings, a roll detachably fixed on each of the said slide shafts, a freely revoluble roll having a substantially horizontal axis located intermediate of the said two slide shaft rolls and beneath and in vertical alignment, transversely of the machine, with said firstnientioned roll, means to provide for `said intermediate roll a yielding pressure upwardly, means to provide end-wise adjustment for said last mentioned roll, and means to reciprocate said first mentioned shaft whereby said first mentioned roll may be placed in disalignment with the two said slide shaft rolls.

5. In a bar and pipe bending machine comprising, in combination, a frame, a horizontal bearing in said frame, a shaft revoluble in said bearing, means to rotate said shaft, aI roll detachably fixed on the end of said shaft opposite the drive end thereof, means to hold said shaft in yielding relation relative to movements thereof toward the rearward or drive end of said machine, a revoluble roll positioned below and on each side of a vertical central line through said first mentioned roll, means to elevate the said two revoluble rolls singly and separately, means whereby the said two revoluble rolls may be elevated simultaneously, a revoluble roll havingits axis vertically disposed and in the same plane as that of the first mentioned roll,` means to position said roll having the vertical axis in various positions longitudinally of its axis., and means to hold said last mentioned roll in vvarious fixed positions longitudinally of the said machine, whereby said roll may act to resistthe yielding, forwardly applied pressure of the said first mentioned roll, and means to reciprocate said first mentioned shaft.

G. In a bar and pipe bending machine comprising, in combination, a frame, a hori- Zonta] bearing in the upper portion of said frame, a revoluble shaft journaled in the said bearing, means to rotate said shaft, means to locate and hold the said shaft in various predetermined positions longitudinally of the said bearing, a rolldetachably fixed on said shaft, two bearings,-one on each side of a central vertical line through and below the said first mentioned bearing and positioned a spaced distance apart, tw() revoluble shafts,-one journalled in each of the said two bearings, two revoluble rolls,- one detacl'iably secured to each of the said two revoluble shaft-s, means to elevate the said two revoluble rolls either singly or simultaneously, means tov position the said two revoluble rolls in various positions longitudinally of their axes, two rolls having inwardly inclined axes and fixed relative to movement longitudinally of the said machine, located rearwardly of the said first mentioned roll,-one on each side thereof and adapted to serve as a fixed rearward abutment for the material being bent, a roll having a vertically disposed axis the plane of which being coincidentwith that of the said first mentioned roll and located forwardly of the latter, means to positively advance the said roll with the vertical axis against the material being bent, said pressure being applied laterally of the said material, means to provide a yielding pressure of the first mentioned roll against the said material in opposition to the positive pressure exerted by the last mentioned roll, means to vary the potency of the said yielding pressure,-increasing or decreasing as predetermined, a roll having normally a substantially horirontally disposed axis, said roll located beneath and in vertical alignment, transversely of the machine, with the said first mentioned roll and intermediate the said two revoluble rolls first mentioned, means whereby said intermediate roll may be subjected to a yielding pressure upwardly, means whereby said intermediate roll may be positively located in various predetermined positions longitudinally of its axis, and means to bend the ends of the material to correspond to the contour of the portion bent by rolling, said means to consist of a bending-block interposed between the said roll tirst n'ientioned and the material being bent and the co-action of the upward feeding means ot one of the said two revoluble rolls irst mentioned forcing the said latter roll against the material and pressing said material upwardly until it conforms to the shape of the under side ot the said bendingblock.

7. In a bar and pipe bending machine conmrismg, in combination, three main bending rolls` their axes being parallel and their centers so arranged, relatively, that lines inter-connecting the same would term an isosceles triangle,-the two lower rolls positioned at the base angles and the third at the apex angle ot said triangle, means to simultaneously elevate the two base rolls, means to singly and separately elevate either ol" the said two base rolls, whereby the spaced distance between the said apex roll and the Isaid two base rolls may be varied in a predetermined manner, means to positively rotate the said apex roll, means to reciprocate the said shaft, means to hold said shaft yieldingly in one direction, two lateral thrusting rolls, positioned,-one on each Iside ot said apex roll and rearwardly thereof and with their axes inclined a predetermined amount :t'rom the vertical, and the plane therethrough running transversely of the axes of said bending rolls, a roll having its axis vertically disposed and located forwardly of the said apex bending roll and on a central vertical plane therethrough, and so positioned, vertically of the said machine, as to be in contiguous lateral relation with the material while passing through the machine in the process of bending, means to locate said last mentioned roll in various positions longitudinally of said machine, whereby the spaced relation ot said latter roll and the said two lateral thrusting rolls may be varied at predetermined times and in predetermined amounts, a roll, positioned at a spaced distance from and beneath said apex bending roll and intermediate the said two base bending rolls, its axis in a substantially horizontal position, and running lengthwise ot the machine, yielding means tending to force said intermediate roll strongly toward said apex bending roll, mean-s to locate said intermediate roll in various positions, longitudinally ot its axis, and means, co--acting with the individual elevating means for each or either ot the said two base bending rolls, to accurately t'orm the ends ot the material being bent 4into a similar arc of the circle to which the main portion ot the said material is bent.

FRANK F. 'lHOli/lllti. 

